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  What is a Tornado Outdoor Warning Siren? The City of St. Louis experiences severe weather year round. A Tornado Outdoor Warning Siren aims at signaling to people outdoors who cannot hear warnings through broadcasts that a tornado warning has been issued. The sirens are not meant to warn people indoors, although you may hear the siren inside if you live close to it. Who decides to sound the sirens and when will I hear them? Sirens are sounded immediately when the National Weather Service issues a tornado warning The City of St. Louis area or if a tornado is sighted by one of our first responders. The sirens can be sounded individually or all at once. Sirens can be sounded either from the City’s Fire Dispatch Center or from the Emergency Operations Center. Sirens are tested once a month on the first Monday of the month at 11 a.m unless threatening weather is in our area. We continue to check these sirens through a “silent test” capability between test to ensure the system is functional. What should I do when I hear the siren? Take immediate cover when you hear a siren. Seek further information from local media (television or radio). Go indoors to a safe room at ground level or below with as few windows as possible. Basements are typically the best option. If you are in a vehicle and unable to exit your vehicle and see a tornado approaching, drive at a right or left angle from the approaching tornado. Tornadoes almost always move in a nearly straight line. The best option is to seek shelter in a near by structure. If you are outside, do not take shelter under a bridge. Instead, lay flat on the ground in a ditch or depression below ground level, if possible. How will my family be alerted indoors and at night? Everyone must take personal responsibility to monitor radio and television weather reports when severe weather occurs. We recommend that households and businesses have a Weather Alert Radio, which sound an alarm when the National Weather Service issues a tornado warning. If you buy a radio, we strongly recommend you purchase one that is programmable with your local county code**. Below you will find examples of weather radios:  What is a Tornado Outdoor Warning Siren? The City of St. Louis experiences severe weather year round. A Tornado Outdoor Warning Siren aims at signaling to people outdoors who cannot hear warnings through broadcasts that a tornado warning has been issued. The sirens are not meant to warn people indoors, although you may hear the siren inside if you live close to it. Who decides to sound the sirens and when will I hear them? Sirens are sounded immediately when the National Weather Service issues a tornado warning The City of St. Louis area or if a tornado is sighted by one of our first responders. The sirens can be sounded individually or all at once. Sirens can be sounded either from the City’s Fire Dispatch Center or from the Emergency Operations Center. Sirens are tested once a month on the first Monday of the month at 11 am unless threatening weather is in our area. We continue to check these sirens through a “silent test” capability between tests to ensure the system is functional. What should I do when I hear the siren? Take immediate cover when you hear a siren. Seek further information from local media (television or radio). Go indoors to a safe room at ground level or below with as few windows as possible. Basements are typically the best option. If you are in a vehicle and unable to exit your vehicle and see a tornado approaching, drive at a right or left angle from the approaching tornado. Tornadoes almost always move in a nearly straight line. The best option is to seek shelter in a near by structure. If you are outside, do not take shelter under a bridge. Instead, lay flat on the ground in a ditch or depression below ground level, and or seek shelter in a building if possible.  How will my family be alerted indoors and at night? Everyone must take personal responsibility to monitor radio and television weather reports when severe weather occurs. We recommend that households and businesses have a Weather Alert Radio, which sound an alarm when the National Weather Service issues a tornado warning. If you buy a radio, we strongly recommend you purchase one that is programmable with your local county code**. Below you will find examples of weather radios: NOAA Weather Radio | Return Home | Severe Weather Warning | Citizens Emergency Response Training | |
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